Ryan Grigson should have been wearing dancing shoes Thursday, the way he sidestepped questions about Peyton Manning.

Grigson, the Colts’ new general manager, is on the spot. Not only do the Colts have the No. 1 overall pick, but they must decide on whether to keep or part with Manning by March 8, when he is due a $28 million roster bonus.

Colts GM Ryan Grigson danced around questions about Peyton Manning when he spoke to the media. (AP Photo)

Grigson knew he would be peppered with Manning questions Thursday. That did not mean Grigson would answer them in detail. Would the Colts decide on Manning before March 8?

“Obviously it’s not going to be a rash thing,” Grigson said. “I know you guys would like to know more. Everyone would like to have this nailed down. But there are a lot of variables and factors involved, and it’s a great player involved that’s near and dear to us and the organization. We want to do it the right way.”

Grigson said he had not seen Manning throw since becoming general manager. However, Grigson has glowing comments about Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, the player expected to be taken No. 1 by the Colts to replace Manning.

"Great player,” Grigson said. “The last guy in the last row of any stadium could tell you that he’s a heck of quarterback, a heck of a person, intelligent kid.”

It still seems likely that Luck is the heir apparent to Manning. But it also seems likely the Colts-Manning saga will drag on past the end of the Combine.